UConn, Tennessee Renew Women’s Basketball Rivalry Thursday Night

Geno Auriemma, coach of the No. 5 UConn Huskies, has expressed his disinterest in the historic rivalry with the No. 19 Tennessee Volunteers, ahead of their upcoming game. He criticized the overblown nature of the rivalry, particularly how fanbases have exacerbated tensions beyond the sport itself. Auriemma emphasized that the once fierce competition, fostered through numerous high-stakes games with Tennessee's Pat Summitt, has diminished in significance. The rivalry, which was a pinnacle of women's college basketball in the late 1990s and early 2000s, has evolved, with UConn winning the last four matchups since their series resumed in 2020. Current players, such as UConn's Paige Bueckers, are too young to appreciate the rivalry's heyday, with Auriemma acknowledging that many new teams and rivalries have since emerged. He remains focused on the game itself, which remains a crucial non-conference matchup for both teams.